Accessory cartridge for improving internal combustion engine efficiency

ABSTRACT

In order to improve the volatilization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the usual carburetor to the intake manifold of a conventional internal combustion engine, an accessory cartridge is provided containing calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate, together with inert materials for inhibiting the flow of fumes generated by the foregoing chemicals. The cartridge is either communicatively connected directly to the intake manifold or between the carburetor and the intake manifold, in either situation having its interior subjected to vacuum conditions that pull the generated fumes or vapors through a cartridge outlet of restricted size directly into the intake manifold. Consequently, the volatilization of the fuel-air delivered by the carburetor is appreciably improved by reason of the fumes from the cartridge. The cartridge is particularly beneficial during cold starting periods and also when abrupt throttle changes are made which interfere with the atomizing and complete vaporization of the fuel by the engine&#39;&#39;s carburetor and intake manifold.

United States Patent 1191 Patterson 1 June 11, 1974 1 ACCESSORY CARTRIDGE FOR IMPROVING INTERNAL COMBUSTION Primary ExaminerChar1es J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Tony Argenbright ENGINE E IEN Y Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stuart R. Peterson 75 Inventor: Eu ene A. Patterson, Minnea olis, V 1 Mirgm p 57 ABSTRACT In order to improve the volatilization of the fuel-air [73] Asslgnee' I fi s: Products Mmnedpohs mixture supplied by the usual carburetor to the intake manifold of a conventional internal combustion en- [22] Filed: Nov. 9,1972 gine, an accessory cartridge is provided containing calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate, to- [211 Appl' 305056 gether with inert materials for inhibiting the flow of fumes generated by the foregoing chemicals. The car- [52] US. Cl 48/59, 123/1 A, 123/198 A tridge is either communicatively connected directly to [51] Int. Cl Clh 19/00, F02b 51/00 the intake manifold or between the carburetor and the [58] Field of Search 123/1 A, 119 E, 198 A, intake manifold, in either situation having its interior 123/121, 119 D, 136; 48/60, 59,217 subjected to vacuum conditions that pull the generated fumes or vapors through a cartridge outlet of re- [56] I References Cited stricted size directly into the intake manifold. Conse- UNITED'STATES PATENTS quently, the volatilization of the fuel-air delivered by 73 652 6/1903 Atkins 480W the carburetor is appreciably improved by reason of l 925'97] 9/1933 A the fumes from the cartridge. The cartridge is particu- 11970I425 8/1934 Giabbe 123/121 larly beneficial during cold Starting PeriodS and also 2,064,561 12/1936 O'Sullivan 123/198 A 1 when abrupt throttle changes are made which inter- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS fere with the atomiaing and complete vaporization of the fuel by the engine carburetor and intake manl- 17,l76 7/1907 Great Britain 48/217 fold 22,425 11/1900 Great Britain.... 48/217 14 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 78 a4 64 lldllol l IQI/(lg/{lql I g II ao s f -r fo e d" (:G 66 gal 9v cQ" Q 00 1; O-G' P 0 52 0.rdoo a. t cl q: fi l 0 o -o u O o o b.-' 0. o CBC 1 O 0 0o "0 0090 0 0 8 p 00 0 Q0 Q0 a 9C0 Q 0.3 t,-: 80 v I f '0 :1 cs 82 0 "r o V 0U :5; 0 0 QC 0 'a= -o' too 9 'o Co b" a"-0':O- F' Ill/III I I// IlI/I/I/I/I If] [/1 ACCESSORY CARTRIDGE FOR IMPROVING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE EFFICIENCY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to internal combustion engines for automobiles, and pertains more particularly to an accessory cartridge for improving the operating efficiency thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Optimum carburetion requires that the fuel be thoroughly mixed with the amount of air required for efficient combustion. This is not readily achievable under all operating conditions. Engine speed changes and torque influence the carburetion. Whether the engine is hot or cold is a determinant, cold temperatures adversely affecting the fuel atomization and vaporization because the cold intake manifold passageways cause objectionable condensation. Still other factors combine to work against achieving an ideal carburetion.

The difficulties associated with realizing top-notch carburetion under all circumstances have persisted for many years. Correction is sometimes made for specific adverse effects, but the fragmented pattern of correction leaves room for a vast amount of improvement. Costs have also militated against the satisfactory development of some devices, both the carburetor itself and certain accessories associated with the carburetor. In any event, engines currently available in automobiles are still far from being completely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide an accessory cartridge that can be easily connected to any automobile engine. More specifically, an aim of the invention is to provide a cartridge that can be connected to the vacuum hose between the carburetor and the intake manifold, or directly to the intake manifold.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory cartridge that will improve the volatilization or vaporization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor, yet be relatively inexpensive to produce in relation to the fuel savings that can be expected.

Still further, an object of the invention is to provide an accessory cartridge that will be long-lasting, requiring replacement only at infrequent intervals when the chemicals contained therein are fully depleted.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an accessory cartridge, although containing inflammable substances, that will not increase the likelihood of engine fires. In this regard, it is an aim of the invention to provide a self-contained cartridge that will be virtually sealed with the exception of a single outlet that is to be connected to a tee fitting that is substituted for the usual vacuum hose (or connected directly into the intake manifold if circumstances so dictate).

Another object is to provide an accessory that will cause a clean operation of the engine, obviating any fouling of the valves or spark plugs from unwanted carbon deposits.

Still further, an object is to provide an accessory cartridge that will be quite compact, taking up very little space beneath the hood of the automobile.

Briefly, my invention comprises a plastic cylindrical casing having closed end walls with the exception of one end wall having a single restricted outlet for connection with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A chemical composition is contained within the casing which is composed of calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate. Inhibiting materials prevent the rapid discharge of the fumes generated by the composition through the restricted outlet. The inhibiting means includes a perforated tube containing particulate asbestos coacting with a fibrous mat of felt that requires the fumes to pass through not only the perforated tube but the mat as well. Still further, in order to prevent any inadvertent discharge of solid material through the outlet of the casing, a metallic screen is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 22 of FIG. 1 for the purpose of illustrating the internal construction of the cartridge as well as the disposition of the chemical composition therewithin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is an elevational view, somewhat schematically presented, showing a typical four-stroke cycle engine. Actually, the engine has been illustrated only fragmentarily and has been given the reference numeral 10. While four, six or eight cylinders will normally be included in the engine, only one cylinder 12 has been pictured. Within the cylinder 12 is the usual piston 14 with rings 16, a connecting rod 18 extending downwardly to the crank 20 that is connected with the crank shaft labeled 22 contained within the crankcase 24.

Associated with the engine 10 is a carburetor which conventionally includes a main venturi 32, plus a fuel jet nozzle 34 for introducing fuel into the carburetor via the usual fuel line. Also, there is included a throttle valve 36 and an automatic choke 38. The automatic choke is controlled by a diaphragm 40 (schematically shown as a bellows) connected by plastic vacuum hoses 42, 44 to the engine s intake manifold 46 through a fitting 48. Ordinarily the hoses 42, 44 would constitute a single hose or tube, but in the exemplary situation such a single hose has been replaced or cut so that a tee connection 50 can be added when my invention is to be used. Actually, replacement hoses will be provided, thereby facilitating attachment of my accessory yet to be described.

Air enters through an air filter 52 into the carburetor 30. As is usual, the carburetor 30 delivers the mixed fuel-air into the intake manifold 46 of the engine 10. An intake valve 52 (shown closed) opens to admit the combustible mixture into the cylinder 12, the region above the piston constituting a combustion chamber where the mixture is ignited by a spark plug 54.

While still conventional, attention is now directed to an exhaust valve 56 that leads into an exhaust manifold 58 via which the gases are exhausted. Here again, assuming that four, six or eight cylinders are involved, the exhaust manifold 58 simply connects all of the exhaust valves for these various cylinders into a single exhaust pipe.

The tee fitting 50 functions to connect the carburetor 30 to the intake manifold 46. However, the tee fitting 50 enables my cartridge denoted generally by the reference numeral 60 to be easily connected to the intake manifold 46, doing so through an additional plastic hose labeled 62 leading from the cartridge 60 to the fitting 50. [n marketing the cartridge 60, it is planned that individual hoses 42, 44 and 62 by supplied plus the tee fitting 50. Of course, a separate connection can be made directly into the intake manifold 46 if desired; usually, it will be more convenient to use the vacuum line already extending to the carburetor 30, though.

Describing now in detail the accessory cartridge 60 that constitutes my invention, it will be observed that this cartridge includes a cylindrical casing 64 having opposite end walls 66, 68. The end wall 66 is imperfo rate, whereas the other end wall 68 is tapped at 70. A fitting 72 is threadedly received in the tapped hole 70 to provide a restricted outlet 74. his through this fitting 72 that the fumes or vapors developed are generated within the casing 64 are delivered to the tee fitting 50 through the hose 62, then passing into the intake manifold 46 along with the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor 30.

From FIG. 2 it will be discerned that the interior of the casing 64 forms an annular chamber 76 which contains the chemical composition indicated generally by the numeral 78. More will be said hereinafter with respect to the chemical makeup of the composition 78. At this time, though, attention is directed to a tube 80 that extends concentrically from the end wall 66 in the direction of the end wall 68 containing the outlet 74. The tube 80 terminates in a spaced relation with respect to the end wall 68. The tube 80 has a multiplicity of openings or orifices 82 of preferred size that will be referred to later on. An annular disc 84 circumscribes the inner end of the perforated tube 80, its peripheral edge engaging the inside of the cylindrical casing 64.

A chamber 86 is formed between the annular disc 84 and the end wall 68. Within this chamber 86, confronting the annular disc 84, is a mat- 88 of fibrous material, preferably felt. Sandwiched between the-mat 88 and the end wall 68 is a metallic screen 90 having a mesh such that any particulate material in the chamber 88 is precluded from escaping (or clogging) via the outlet 74 extending through the fitting 72 threadedly attached to the wall 68.

Referring now to the chemical composition 78, this composition contains or includes the following ingredients in the volumetric proportions indicated:

Calcium carbide (CaC 50-75 percent Sodium Sulfate (Na SO,) 7-l2 percent Naphthalene (C H remainder Although an acceptable range has been presented with reference to the amount of calcium carbide (CaC contained in the composition 78, it can be said that the preferred amount is 70 percent. While the amount of naphthalene (C l-l constitutes the remainder, the preferred percentage is 20%. Hence, a preferred composition 78 on a volumetric basis would be calcium carbide (70%), sodium sulfate and naphthalene Within the perforated tube 80 are asbestos particles 92, the size of particles 92 being generally larger than the openings 82 so that they are adequately confined within the tube 80. Consequently, the fumes or vapors developed or generated by the composition 78 must pass inwardly through the openings 82 of the tube and then pass through the particulate asbestos 92 contained therein before reaching the fibrous mat 88. The asbestos particles 92, together with the small openings or orifices 82 in the tube 80, and the fibrous mat 88 function as an inhibiting means which prevent the escape of fumes at a greater rate than needed for the effective volatilization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor 30. In other words, there is a porous barrier formed by reason of the tube 80, the asbestos particles 92 contained therein. and the fibrous mat 88. While it is highly unlikely that any of the chemicals constituting the composition 78 will move as far as the outlet 74, nonetheless the screen 90, being of fairly small mesh, prevents any of the particles, whether from the chemical composition 78 (such as the powdered sodium sulfate) or the asbestos 92 from exiting.

Although various modes of mounting the cartridge 60 can be employed, it will be observed from FIG. 1 that a flexible band 94 encircles the cylindrical casing 64, being anchored to a fixed portion 96 of the automobiles body when the cartridge 60 is utilized to improve the operational efficiency of such a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the body portion 96 might constitute a fender section beneath the car's hood, the cowl or virtually any portion of the body near the carburetor, a proximal location permitting the use of a shorter hose 62. Y

OPERATION While the carburetor 30 functions to atomize and vaporize the fuel, doing so in a fashion to mix the fuel with incoming air, it is incapable of optimally doing this under all operating conditions. Particularly when the engine 10 is cold, it is difficult to achieve excellent vaporization, the fuel-air mixture within the intake manifold 46 containing in many instances actual droplets of liquid fuel. When the walls of the inlet manifold 46 are cold, there can also be condensation on such walls which further contribute to poor operating. efficiency.

However, when my cartridge 60 is communicatively connected as shown in FIG. 1, fumes generated by the chemical composition 78 flow through the outlet 74. Of course, the intake manifold 46 subjects the interior of the cartridge 60 to vacuum or subatmospheric pressure with the consequence that fumes or vapors are pulled into the intake manifold 46 from the cartridge 60.

The enhanced vaporization action furnished by the fumes emanating from the composition 78 are responsible for vaporizing relatively large drops of fuel that may be suspended in the mixture within the intake manifold 46. Where there is a change of the fuel-air ratio due to a rapid opening of the throttle 36 in the carburetor 30, the calling for more fuel produces the incomplete atomization and the concomitant forming of actual liquid'drops within the manifold 46. Stated somewhat differently, when there is an engine acceleration, the vacuum within the manifold 46 is automatically decreased by reason of the richer mixture forwarded from the carburetor. Owing to the richer mixture, that is more fuel with respect to air than previthe heat from the engine is not available for helping with the vaporization process as it is when the engine is warm. My cartridge is available under these conditions for providing fumes that are instrumental in improving or enhancing the vaporization, and thus improve the operation and efficiency of the engine. Whenever the vacuum is removed, such as when the engine is shut down, the residual subatmospheric pressure draws in air and other gases remaining within the intake manifold 46, the moisture furthering the chemical action that produces the vaporizing fumes when the engine is again started.

DIMENSIONS While dimensions are not necessarily critical in this instance, it will be of some help, especially in appreciating the compactness of my cartridge 60, to give exemplary sizes. Accordingly, the overall length of the casing is approximately 8 inches, whereas the diameter thereof if 3 /2 inches. The wall thickness is approximately three-sixteenths inch thick, thereby providing an inside diameter of slightly less than 3 inches. The distance from the end wall 66 to the annular disc 84 is approximately 6 inches. The annular disc 84 has a thickness of one thirty-second inch. The chamber existing between the annular disc 84 and the end wall 68 is approximately one and one-half inches.

As far as the openings 82 in the tube 80 are concerned, they are small enough to prevent any passage of the asbestos particles 92 into the chamber occupied by the composition 78. As already pointed out, the mesh of the screen 90 is sufficiently small so as to preclude the passage therethrough of any of the material confined within the cartridge 60.

As far as the material for the casing is concerned, it is preferred that this be a plastic, such as vinyl, which can be heat sealed or otherwise adhesively assembled. in this way, simplified molding techniques can be resorted to, for the cylindrical casing 64 can be first formed and the end walls 66, 68 then secured by heat sealing or an adhesive.

It is important to recognize thatthe cartridge 60 is almost completely enclosed, the only opening being the outlet 74. The outlet 74, extending through the fitting 72, is quite small, being on the order of one-sixteenth inch, so it is quite restricted in size, thereby contributing to the fume inhibiting action already alluded to. It is planned that my cartridge 60 be sold by automotive stores and the like, a plug being inserted in the free end of the tube 62 to prevent any loss of fumes that might otherwise exit through the outlet. Consequently, my cartridge 60 has an exceptionally long shelf life, being ready for use whenever needed by simply substituting the fitting 50 for the factory-provided plug which conserves the material 78 contained within the cartridge 60.

1 claim:

1. A cartridge for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine already equipped with a carburetor for supplying a fuel-air mixture to said manifold, the cartridge comprising a casing having a single opening therein serving as both an inlet and outlet for continuous two-way communicative connection to the intake manifold of the internal combustion exit only from the casing through said opening into said intake manifold to enhance the volatilization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor when the engine is operating and said intake manifold is sub- 5 jected to a vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condi- 65 engine, and a composition contained m the interior of said casing including calcium carbide and naphthalene, whereby the fumes generated by the composition must tion, and whereby air and other gasescontaining moisture are drawn into said casing through said opening when theengine is shutdown and said casing is under a residual vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condition.-

2. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 in which said composition additionally includes sodium sulfate.

3. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 in which said casing is elongated and said opening is at one end thereof, said cartridge additionally including means within said casing adjacent said one end located between said composition and opening for inhibiting the flow of fumes from said casing which are generated by said composition.

4. A cartridge for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine already equipped with a carburetor for supplying a fuel-air mixture to said manifold, the cartridge comprising a casing having an outlet therein for communicative connection to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, and a composition contained in the interior of said casing including calcium carbide, naphthalene, and sodium sulfate, and means within said casing including a fibrous mat disposed between said composition and said outlet for inhibiting the flow of fumes from said casing which are generated by said composition, whereby the fumes generated by the composition must exit from the casing through said outlet into said intake manifold to enhance the volatilization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor.

5. A cartridge in accordance with claim 4 in which said inhibiting means includes a perforated tube disposed between said composition and said mat.

6. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 in which said mat is felt and said tube contains asbestos particles of a size larger than the perforations in said tube.

7. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 including a screen disposed between said mat and said outlet.

8. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 in which said casing is generally cylindrical, one end of said cylindrical casing containing said outlet and the opposite end of said casing being imperforate, said tube extending from said imperforate end toward said outlet end in a coaxial or concentric relation with the cylindrical side wall of said casing, said composition being disposed between said tube and said cylindrical side wall, a circular disc disposed within said casing in a spaced relationship with the end wall having said outlet therein, said disc being located at the end of said tube nearer said outlet end, and said mat being contained in the region between said circular disc and said outlet end.

9. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 including a screen confronting said outlet end, said mat being between said screen and said circular disc.

10. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 in which said composition contains calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate on the following volumetric basis:

calcium carbide sodium sulfate naphthalene -75 percent 7-l 2 percent remainder.

11. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 in which said composition contains calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate on the following volumetric basis:

calcium carbide sodium sulfate 10% naphthalene 20%.

12. A cartridge for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine already equipped with a carburetor for supplying a fuel-air mixture to said manifold, the cartridge comprising a cylindrical casing having opposite end walls, one of said end walls having a single opening therein serving as both an inlet and outlet for continuous two-way communicative connection to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, a composition including calcium carbide and napthalene contained in the interior of said casing, and means disposed between said one wall and said composition for confining said composition to that portion of the casing nearer the other end wall thereof, whereby the fumes generated by the composition must pass through said means and exit only from the casing through said opening into said intake manifold to enhance the volatization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor when the engine is operating and said intake manifold is subjected to a vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condition, and whereby air and other gases containing moisture are drawn into said casing through said opening when the engine is shut down and said casing is under a residual vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condition.

13. A cartridge in accordance with claim 12 in which said means includes a porous gas-permeable mat and a screen through which said fumes must pass from said composition to said opening.

14. A cartridge in accordance with claim 13 in which said screen has a diameter corresponding substantially to the inner diameter of said casing and said mat occupies substantially the entire space between said composition and said screen. 

2. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 in which said composition additionally includes sodium sulfate.
 3. A cartridge in accordance with claim 1 in which said casing is elongated and said opening is at one end thereof, said cartridge additionally including means within said casing adjacent said one end located between said composition and opening for inhibiting the flow of fumes from said casing which are generated by said composition.
 4. A cartridge for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine already equipped with a carburetor for supplying a fuel-air mixture to said manifold, the cartridge comprising a casing having an outlet therein for communicative connection to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, and a composition contained in the interior of said casing including calcium carbide, naphthalene, and sodium sulfate, and means within said casing including a fibrous mat disposed bEtween said composition and said outlet for inhibiting the flow of fumes from said casing which are generated by said composition, whereby the fumes generated by the composition must exit from the casing through said outlet into said intake manifold to enhance the volatilization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor.
 5. A cartridge in accordance with claim 4 in which said inhibiting means includes a perforated tube disposed between said composition and said mat.
 6. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 in which said mat is felt and said tube contains asbestos particles of a size larger than the perforations in said tube.
 7. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 including a screen disposed between said mat and said outlet.
 8. A cartridge in accordance with claim 5 in which said casing is generally cylindrical, one end of said cylindrical casing containing said outlet and the opposite end of said casing being imperforate, said tube extending from said imperforate end toward said outlet end in a coaxial or concentric relation with the cylindrical side wall of said casing, said composition being disposed between said tube and said cylindrical side wall, a circular disc disposed within said casing in a spaced relationship with the end wall having said outlet therein, said disc being located at the end of said tube nearer said outlet end, and said mat being contained in the region between said circular disc and said outlet end.
 9. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 including a screen confronting said outlet end, said mat being between said screen and said circular disc.
 10. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 in which said composition contains calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate on the following volumetric basis: calcium carbide 50-75 percent sodium sulfate 7-12 percent naphthalene remainder.
 11. A cartridge in accordance with claim 8 in which said composition contains calcium carbide, naphthalene and sodium sulfate on the following volumetric basis: calcium carbide 70% sodium sulfate 10% naphthalene 20%.
 12. A cartridge for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine already equipped with a carburetor for supplying a fuel-air mixture to said manifold, the cartridge comprising a cylindrical casing having opposite end walls, one of said end walls having a single opening therein serving as both an inlet and outlet for continuous two-way communicative connection to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, a composition including calcium carbide and napthalene contained in the interior of said casing, and means disposed between said one wall and said composition for confining said composition to that portion of the casing nearer the other end wall thereof, whereby the fumes generated by the composition must pass through said means and exit only from the casing through said opening into said intake manifold to enhance the volatization of the fuel-air mixture supplied by the carburetor when the engine is operating and said intake manifold is subjected to a vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condition, and whereby air and other gases containing moisture are drawn into said casing through said opening when the engine is shut down and said casing is under a residual vacuum or subatmospheric pressure condition.
 13. A cartridge in accordance with claim 12 in which said means includes a porous gas-permeable mat and a screen through which said fumes must pass from said composition to said opening.
 14. A cartridge in accordance with claim 13 in which said screen has a diameter corresponding substantially to the inner diameter of said casing and said mat occupies substantially the entire space between said composition and said screen. 